Door threshold and fastener assembly

ABSTRACT

A base member is positioned against a floor and between bordering door jambs. The base member includes a groove therein for slidably retaining fasteners which are driven along the groove and into engagement with the jambs thereby clamping the threshold assembly against the floor of the door. The fasteners include slots therein which permit insertion of a tool so that upon application of withdrawing forces on the fasteners, they are easily disengaged from the jambs thus permitting removal of the threshold assembly.

United States Patent Sewell [4 1 June 6,1972

[54] DOOR THRESHOLD AND FASTENER ASSEMBLY [72] Inventor: Curtis 0.Sewell, Highway 43, Saraland,

Ala. 36571 [22] Filed: Feb. 25, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 14,005

[52] US. Cl. ..52/213, 49/467, 85/49 [51] Int. Cl [58] Field of Search,..49/467-471, 506;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,293,168 8/1942 Pirone I.2! H123 3,014,253 12/1961 Manville ..46/469 2,853,749 9/1958 West..49/468 3,077,009 2/1963 Taber ..52/695 3,261,]30 7/1966 Lawson..49/469 Primary Examiner-Frank L. Abbott Assistant Examiner-Robert A.Schwartz Attorney-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson [57]ABSTRACT A base member is positioned against a floor and betweenbordering door jambs. The base member includes a groove therein forslidably retaining fasteners which are driven along the groove and intoengagement with the jambs thereby clamping the threshold assemblyagainst the floor of the door. The fasteners include slots therein whichpermit insertion of a tool so that upon application of withdrawingforces on the fasteners, they are easily disengaged from the jambs thuspermitting removal of the threshold assembly.

6 Claims, 9 Drawing figures PATENTEDJUM s 1972 SHEEI 1 (IF 2 Fig.2

Curtis 0. .Sewe/l INVENTOR.

PATENTEUJUN slave 3.667.192

' SHEEI 2 BF 2 Curtis 0. Saws/l INVENTOR com WW5 Em DOOR THRESHOLD ANDFASTENER ASSEIWBLY The present invention relates to doorway thresholdassemblies.

A previously conceived threshold assembly includes a base or runnerportion laid between joor jambs and retained in position by screwing thebase member into the floor. Frequently, these screws are inserted withgreater tightness than necessary so that the upper surface of thethreshold assembly is displaced from a confronting lower door edge by anamount sufficient to allow drafts to pass through a created space. Inanother type of construction, the threshold assembly includestransversely disposed brackets which must be screwed into recess notchesformed in bordering joor jambs. The fastening process associated withthis construction is time consuming and results in a financial burden tothe installer.

The present threshold assembly includes a base member having flatfasteners slidably disposed in grooves formed in the base member. Inorder to install the present invention, the assembly is cut to theproper length and laid down against the floor between bordering doorjambs. A simple angle iron tool is positioned against the fasteners andby applying hammer impact against the tool, the fasteners are caused tomove into engagement with the jambs. In a finished installation, thefasteners retain their position in the base member so that the fastenersin effect clamp the assembly against the floor. Slots are formed in thefasteners so that upon application of withdrawal forces on thefasteners, they may be pulled out from the jambs and then removal of theentire threshold assembly is a simple matter.

Unlike prior art devices, the present threshold assembly can readily beinstalled in metal door frames by drilling small starter holes into theproper vertical door frame supports and then driving the fasteners intothe drilled holes.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a complete threshold assembly.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating the component parts of thethreshold assembly as well as the tool utilized to drive the fastenerinto a door jamb.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the threshold assembly laid betweenjoor jambs, before any fastening has been done.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view illustrating the disposition of a fastenedthreashold assembly between door jambs.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway top plan view of the finished and installedthreshold assembly.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken through a completedthreshold assembly as seen in FIG. 1.

FIG; 7 is a partial longitudinal section taken through the plane passingthrough section line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view illustrating the method employed indriving a fastener into a door jamb.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the method used for removingthe fasteners from engagement with associated door jambs.

Referring to the figures and more particularly to FIG. 1, the presentthreshold assembly is denoted by reference numeral 10 and is seen toinclude an elongated base member or strip 12 having a longitudinallyformed channel 16 as seen in FIG. 2. As will be noted in the secondmentioned figure, a longitudinal filler strip or top member 18 isadapted for insertion into base member 12 after installation of thebasemember. The completed appearance of the threshold assembly efi'ects asubstantially continuous and rather smooth upper surface which will notinterfere with passing traffic. A flat staple type fastener 20 isslidably received within the channel 16 and as will be explainedhereinafter, the fastener is driven into engagement with a confrontingdoor jamb in order to effect clamping of the threshold assembly againstthe floor.

Considering the cross-sectional construction of the threshold assembly,reference is made to FIG. 6 wherein there is shown two upright andparallel spaced elongated side walls 26 connected by a web 28 definingan H-like shape. Elongated ridges 29 extend in confronting relationtoward one another from the walls 26 thereby developing longitudinallyextending slots or grooves 30 between the ridges 29 and the web 28. Thegroove 30 serves to slidingly receive the fastener 20 in a mannerpermitting the outward extension of pointed fastener legs as more fullyhereinafter described. The disposition of the fastener in groove 30 isclearly shown in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 6, second ridges 32 will be seen to extend inhorizontally aligned confronu'ng relation in the same manner asmentioned in connection with the ridges 29. The second ridges 32 arevertically spaced from the first mentioned ridges 29 thereby defining asecond pair of grooves 34 in the upper portions of walls 26. As will beseen hereinafter, the upper grooves serve to seat the top member 18after the fasteners 20 have been driven into the door jambs. This isnecessary in order to cover the elongated channel in the central portionof the base member 12 and render a smooth and continuous top surface forthe threshold assembly.

Still referring to FIG. 6, integrally attached elongated wings 35 extendoutwardly and downwardly in a contoured manner toward a supporting floorsurface. The outward ends of the wings 35 terminate in key-like edges 36for engagement with mating recesses in sealing strips 38. Each sealingstrip 38 includes two outer wiper blade-like edges 40 for contacting thefloor and insuring a high degree of weatherproofing.

Considering the cross-sectional configuration of the top member 18 inFIG. 6, the member has an elongated contoured dome 42 and an underlyingweb 44 connected to the dome portion 42 by vertically upstanding flanges46. The central portion of the top member is hollow in order to reducethe weight and fabrication costs of the article.

Turning now to the specific construction of the fastener 20, referenceis made to FIG. 2 wherein the fastener is seen to include a centralrectangular body having point or needlelike legs 52 extending from thetransverse edge of the central body 50. The legs 52 are the only portionof the fastener which become embedded in the door jambs. The centralbody 50 has rectangular slots 54 formed therein to facilitate removal ofthe fasteners as hereinafter described. I

In order to install the threshold assembly, a tool or impact forcetransmitting member 56 is employed and may be fairly characterized as anangle bracket having a first portion 58 appending obtusely to a secondportion 60.

The method of installing the threshold assembly is as follows:

The base 12 is cut to length according to the width of the door. Withthe top member 18 removed from base 12, the fastener 20 is slid into thereceiving groove in the base so that only the legs 52 extend outwardlyfrom the base. Next, a block or suitable restraining member 62 ispositioned atop the base 12 as seen in FIG. 8. The tool 56 is positionedso that the outer transverse edge of portion contacts the inwardtransverse edge 66 of fastener 20. Then, by applying hammer blows from asuitable tool such as a hammer 68, the fastener 20 is forced outwardlyuntil the fastener legs 52 become firmly embedded in the associated doorjamb. At the termination of this process, the top member 18 is snappedinto channel 16 so that the resulting threshold assembly has theconventional finished and continuous appearance.

Referring to FIG. 3, the outward ends of the base member 12 are seen tonormally bow and having a small rise 70 in the order of a fraction of aninch prior to installation. By so forming the member, it can later befirmly held against the supporting floor. Also, the initially formedrise allows the base member to compensate for unevenness or sag in thefloor.

At a time subsequent to the installation of the threshold assembly,should removal of the assembly be desired, it can easily be effected.Viewing FIG. 9, the top member 18 has been removed and a fulcrum block72 is disposed immediately above the top member and against anassociated jamb 24. Then, by inserting the tip portion of a screwdriver74 into one of of the slots 54in the fastener, rotation of thescrewdriver inwardly toward the jamb causes withdrawal of the fastener24 from the jamb. Once this is accomplished, the base member is simplyremoved leaving the floor of the doorway in its original condition.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A door threshold assembly for placement in a door frame havingopposite side upstanding members, said assembly including an elongatedbase member having opposite ends and upper and lower sides, a pair ofelongated fasteners, means mounting said fasteners from said oppositeends for guided longitudinal shifting relative to and along said basemember between retracted positions at least substantially fully recessedwithin said opposite ends and extended positions with at least theremote ends of said fasteners projecting endwise outwardly of said basemember and the adjacent ends of said fasteners supported from said basemember, said remote ends of said fasteners being adapted to be anchoredto said upstanding members, at least the opposite ends of the upper sideof said base member having upwardly opening access openings formedtherein providing access to said adjacent ends of said fasteners forengagement therewith by a tool through said access providing openingsfrom above said base member in order to effect shifting of said fastenermeans from their retracted positions to their extended positions, andwherein said access openings comprise the opposite ends of an upwardlyopening full length opening formed in said upper side, said thresholdassembly including an elongated lower door edge-to-threshold seal memberremovably secured in said full length opening and projecting at leastslightly above the upper side of said base member, the opposite ends ofsaid seal overlying said fasteners and thus covering the latter fromview.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said full length opening comprisesan upwardly opening groove formed in said upper side of said elongatedbase member, the lower portions of the opposite ends of said grooveincluding guide means with which said fasteners are slidably andglidingly engaged.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the adjacent ends of saidfasteners include extraction tool engaging surfaces facing toward theremote ends of said fasteners by which an extraction tool inserteddownwardly through said openings may be engaged with said fasteners toretract the same from said upstanding members for removal of saidthreshold assembly.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said fasteners include pointedpenetration temrinal ends on their remote ends for penetrating saidupstanding members upon extension of said fasteners.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said fasteners include abutmentsurfaces at the base ends of said terminal ends facing toward saidremote ends of said fasteners for abuting said upstanding members andlimiting extension of said fasteners and thus penetration of theterminal ends of said fasteners into said upstanding members.

6, The combination of claim 1 wherein said base member is slightly bowedwith its opposite ends slightly elevated above the central portion whenthe threshold member is horizontally disposed and in a static condition,said base member being constructed of stiff but at least slightlyresilient and bendable material in order that said base member may beinstalled in a planar condition with the base member flexed so as toinsure tight fitting of the lower side thereof with the underlying floorsurface throughout substantially the full length of the base member.

1. A door threshold assembly for placement in a door frame havingopposite side upstanding members, said assembly including an elongatedbase member having opposite ends and upper and lower sides, a pair ofelongated fasteners, means mounting said fasteners from said oppositeends for guided longitudinal shifting relative to and along said basemember between retracted positions at least substantially fully recessedwithin said opposite ends and extended positions with at least theremote ends of said fasteners projecting endwise outwardly of said basemember and the adjacent ends of said fasteners supported from said basemember, said remote ends of said fasteners being adapted to be anchoredto said upstanding members, at least the opposite ends of the upper sideof said base member having upwardly opening access openings formedtherein providing access to said adjacent ends of said fasteners forengagement therewith by a tool through said access providing openingsfrom above said base member in order to effect shifting of said fastenermeans from their retracted positions to their extended positions, andwherein said access openings comprise the opposite ends of an upwardlyopening full length opening formed in said upper side, said thresholdassembly including an elongated lower door edgeto-threshold seal memberremovably secured in said full length opening and projecting at leastslightly above the upper side of said base member, the opposite ends ofsaid seal overlying said fasteners and thus covering the latter fromview.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said full length openingcomprises an upwardly opening groove formed in said upper side of saidelongated base member, the lower portions of the opposite endS of saidgroove including guide means with which said fasteners are slidably andglidingly engaged.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the adjacentends of said fasteners include extraction tool engaging surfaces facingtoward the remote ends of said fasteners by which an extraction toolinserted downwardly through said openings may be engaged with saidfasteners to retract the same from said upstanding members for removalof said threshold assembly.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein saidfasteners include pointed penetration terminal ends on their remote endsfor penetrating said upstanding members upon extension of saidfasteners.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said fasteners includeabutment surfaces at the base ends of said terminal ends facing towardsaid remote ends of said fasteners for abuting said upstanding membersand limiting extension of said fasteners and thus penetration of theterminal ends of said fasteners into said upstanding members.
 6. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said base member is slightly bowed withits opposite ends slightly elevated above the central portion when thethreshold member is horizontally disposed and in a static condition,said base member being constructed of stiff but at least slightlyresilient and bendable material in order that said base member may beinstalled in a planar condition with the base member flexed so as toinsure tight fitting of the lower side thereof with the underlying floorsurface throughout substantially the full length of the base member.